GLOBALIZATION
3 December 2006GLOBALIZATION
The world we are into is continuously changing. Some changes were easily adopted, like the ever-changing fads and fashion of dresses. We noticed that in the later years of 1980s, the long pants (denim) for teenager was stretchable, as they called it. But during 1990s, six pocket denims were introduced, and then came the straight cut. And today, the waistline cut of denim pant is the most popular, even famous celebrities like Britney Spears to some teenager, she introduced the waistline cut of denim pants for the ladies.
Another example of change that had occurred just recently was the innovation of the model of cellular phones. On the first years cell phones were introduced, only those individuals with businesses were the one using it. There was an advertisement about cell phones; it was about a two txt-mate. This two txt-mate were both deaf-mute, but through the use of this sophisticated communication gadget the two had the chance to communicate with each other in behalf of their disabilities. But before this, the first model of cell phones if you still remember, it was big and bulky in the pocket, and it doesn’t have text messaging. But today, what happened to cellular phones? After only a few years, it became highly sophisticated with its model, and today, its not only those with businesses are the one using it. In the Philippines, we became the number 1 texting country worldwide. It only proves that we adapted these changes. In fact, even a below minimum wage earner person has a cell phone. Just like personal computers (PC). In this generation of robotics, personal computers are no longer for business establishments, like televisions, computers are now considered necessity.
The ironic part, there are changes that we, as ordinary persons took it for granted. Just like what had happened in the world of a factory worker. Especially those workers working in a manufacturing industry engaged in the world market. We tend to ignore what is happening in the world market because our objective focuses only on personal satisfaction. Also, the world market is too far from us to get affected, and we tend to ignore it.
Let us try to look and analyze this diagram:
Based on the diagram, what do you think is the objective of the worker? How does the worker achieve this objective? What are the details of activities to achieve the objective? And, how broad is the range of the objective?
THE WORKER
According to the 6,268 attendees that had been questioned about their objective why they need to work, 99 percent answered; “they need to work to earn a living and bridge the gap of their growing financial capability.” The worker should get a job to earn a living. In addition, as they work, they should be paid accordingly.
Let us try to look on the idea closer, a student’s objective is to finish his/her studies. To achieve this, he/she should study hard, and the details of studying hard are: (1) should be always present in class, (2) participate in the class discussions and group works, and (3) do the homework, projects and other requirement for the course. The range of the objective of the student focuses merely on the course.
On the other hand, to achieve the worker’s objective he/she should: (1) follow the company rules and regulations (CRR). Every worker follows the CRR. The range of objective focuses only on the worker’s personal satisfaction. He/she gives only a bit of his thought on the company/factory where he/she gets the source of living.
Let’s try to imagine this analogous situation. There is a lake in a nearby village near a mountain where different species of fish abound. This lake produces enough fish for the villagers. As time passes by, the village grew doubling its population. The lake that had been producing fish for every table became source of recreation and playing grounds for the youngsters.
During the early stage of civilization, the father was the one responsible for the food of his family. The head of the family as breadwinners noticed that they were catching lesser and lesser fish from the lake. They became aware of the help the lake was extending to them. And so, an assembly was called, every member of the village young and old were required to attend. The leader discussed some problems, as earlier reported to him, on how to preserved the lake so as to produce again abundant fish for the increasing population. Policies, rules and regulations and some precautionary measures were introduced. The leader emphasized the importance of the lake as source of living. It was then agreed upon that these rules and regulations should be strictly observed, that who ever violates would be punished, and be exiled from the village if the degree of destruction created is severe. For just a short time, the lake was revived. But due to unavoidable circumstances, the villagers continue to cut trees from the mountain forest for their fuel, shelter or just to clean the land for their agricultural crops. The trees were no longer enough to hold the watershed, and the mountain was almost denuded. What do you think will occur if the mountains will be denuded? For just a few years, the lake that had been supplying fish for the villagers was gone.
Let us apply this scenario to the present situation. On the diagram, the workers source of living is the company. Every worker is required to follow the rules and regulations implemented by the company. But the behavior extended by the workers on how to follow the CRR differs from each other. On the part of he worker, they are following these CRR because it requires them to do so, so as to meet the quota. Not to mention that their minds are set that as they work they should be paid accordingly. And majority of the workers are not aware that a single mistake could ruin the entire production, that the only way to avoid such mistakes is for them to work harmoniously.
The Manufacturing Industry
Who owns these manufacturing industries?
The investors, capitalist or businessmen, or corporations who was then captivated by the strategic location of the country and the promising skills and characteristics a Filipino worker portrays. These investors came here in the Philippines to put up business. And they intend to make this business grow and earn profit. One of the most important means for them to gain profit is to have brand new or well-conditioned machinery (sewing machine) and a productive and efficient manpower. However, let as say the machine and the operator have been working for a few years now, there are possibilities that the operator will get bored on the task, likewise the machines malfunction and no longer producing well and good product. The management will not let the production be hampered by such conditions. They will study and make counter-measures for the production to flow smoothly, or otherwise the effects could intolerable.
On the part of the machine, if it could no longer produce quality products, the management will repair the part of which it is defective, yet after repair and still defective, the last option to be taken by the management is to replace that particular machine. On the other hand, if the person operating the machine is no longer productive, the management looks for remedy to make these workers become efficient and productive again. By letting these workers attend training /retraining, lecture or seminar/workshop, he/she will be reconditioned and motivated. But after these reconditioning and still inefficient and unproductive, the management, just like what they did with the defective machines, they will replace the entire manpower with a new set.
The focus of the manufacturer is to meet the buyer’s demand for them to gain and live. Since the products being manufactured are to be sent in the world market, they will then formulate strategies to comply and go along with the trends of globalization and business competition. Today, the competition falls no longer within the country but the country itself, they are competing with each other.
Due to population explosion, every country including the Philippines becomes excessive of its manpower. Thus, the government invites foreign investors. But other countries have also available manpower that offers low labor cost comparing to the Philippines. Labor cost is one of the biggest problems the manufacturer is to undertake - the cost of production to be spent because in it lies whether they will gain or not.
And when it grows, both the investor and the worker will benefit. But if it doesn’t grow, who do you think will be severely affected?
The World Market
Where do you think the product being produced in the factory came from?
If a product or materials is being channeled from outside the country, the term is called world market. The persons or corporations from the world market are the one making orders to the manufacturing industries. And before orders are made, both the manufacturer and buyer (world market) set an agreement. This agreement will bind both parties for a period of time depending on the terms that had been agreed upon.
Let us again view the diagram and visualize this situation. The world market (business/corporation) will contact the manufacturer to produce a product, which the manufacturer will then give instruction to the workers to study and work on this specific product. After doing so, the workers will report time to time on the progress of the product. These products have timetable, and it should be done before deadline. The earlier the product is finished the better.
The demand of the buyer or the world market, sad to say, but a large number of the manpower in the production line doesn’t give a bit of enthusiasm about this situation.
The world marker is inevitable for the labor sector. It is the depot where we are getting our source of living. Everybody should learn and understand what is going on around in this manufacturing world. Ignorance has proven to be one factor that blinds us on the real essence of growth. Do we have a choice?
“Together we stand, divided we fall,” this well known quotation will help us to compete in the world market. Education is the key to success. By way of attending seminars/workshops, retraining and lecture, every worker will have the chance to be educated about the situations, thus implant in the mind that efficiency and productivity is the key component to become globally competitive.
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